What are Canesten 100mg and 200mg pessaries used for?

How do Canesten 100mg and 200mg pessaries work?

Canesten 100mg and 200mg pessaries contain the active ingredient clotrimazole, which is an antifungal medicine used to treat infections with fungi and yeasts.

Clotrimazole kills the Candida fungi causing the thrush infection by interfering with their cell membranes. The cell membranes of fungi are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering the cells and stop the contents of the cells from leaking out. Clotrimazole makes holes appear in these membranes, which kills the fungi and clears up the infection.

The pessaries are inserted into the vagina to allow the clotrimazole to act directly in the area of infection.

How do I use Canesten 100mg and 200mg pessaries?

If you are using 100mg pessaries, you should insert two pessaries at night for three consecutive nights. Alternatively, you can insert one pessary at night for six consecutive nights.

If you are using 200mg pessaries, you should insert one pessary at night for three consecutive nights.

Use the applicator provided. Follow the instructions provided in the pack. If you have your period you should wait until it's finished before using the pessaries.

The three or six day course should clear up the infection inside the vagina. However, you may also want to use a cream on the outside of the vagina (vulva and labia) to help relieve any itching and soreness. Clotrimazole 1% or 2% cream are suitable for this. See the end of this page for available products.

You should consult your doctor if your symptoms have not got better within a week of finishing the three or six day course of pessaries.

What should I know before using Canesten 100mg or 200mg pessaries?

Canesten pessaries may damage latex (rubber) condoms and diaphragms (caps) and so make them ineffective at preventing pregnancy and STIs. You should use an alternative method of contraception for at least five days after finishing the course of this medicine, or preferably avoid having sex until after the infection has cleared up. Remember that having sex while you still have thrush is likely to transmit the infection to your partner, who could then give it back to you.

If your sexual partner also has symptoms of thrush (in men these are soreness and redness of the penis, tightness of the foreskin or a white, odourless discharge from the penis), it is important that they are treated at the same time as you, for example with clotrimazole cream, to prevent you being re-infected. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Who shouldn't use Canesten 100mg or 200mg pessaries?

People who are allergic to any ingredient of the medicine.

Who should get medical advice before using Canesten 100mg or 200mg pessaries?

You should consult your doctor before using this medicine if any of the following apply to you:

This is the first time you have experienced symptoms of vaginal thrush.

Can I use Canesten pessaries while pregnant or breastfeeding?

The safety of clotrimazole when used during pregnancy has not been specifically studied. However, it has been used by a large number of women during pregnancy without any apparent harmful effects. As with all medicines, you should consult your doctor or midwife before using this medicine during pregnancy. If your doctor says you can use this medicine while you are pregnant you should use your fingers, not the applicator, to insert the pessaries.

Since very little clotrimazole is absorbed into the bloodstream from the vagina it is unlikely that any of the medicine will pass into breast milk. However, as with all medicines, you should get medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding.

What are the possible side effects of Canesten 100mg and 200mg pessaries?

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with Canesten pessaries. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Vaginal irritation, for example burning, stinging, itching, redness, rash, blistering or peeling. Stop using the pessaries and consult your doctor if you have a severe reaction to them.

You may experience some pelvic or abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding after using the pessaries.

Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you want any more information about the possible side effects of this medicine. If you think you have experienced a side effect, did you know you can report this using the yellow card website?

Can I use Canesten 100mg or 200mg pessaries with other medicines?

In general, yes it's fine to use Canesten pessaries if you are taking other medicines by mouth, injection, inhaler etc. However, don't use other vaginal medicines, vaginal douches, spermicides or tampons while using this medicine. If you are not sure, ask your pharmacist for advice.

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